Hasta La Gadget!

See, that wasn’t so bad, now was it? If you’re befuddled, we’re simply referring to the week that iPad owners have had to listen to their Android-lovin’ brethren gloat about having Dish Network’s Remote Access app. As of today, that same piece of software is available in the App Store, enabling iPad owners to watch live and recorded programs so long as they’ve a broadband-connected, Sling-enabled device like the Sling Adapter. It’ll also allow iPad owners to browse and search up to nine days of programming, schedule DVR recordings, manage conflicts, delete shows on multiple receivers, and use their tablet as a fully functional remote, but much to our dismay, it doesn’t have the power to make Heroes a show worth watching again.

Continue reading Dish Network launches Remote Access app, brings live TV and scheduling to iPad

Dish Network launches Remote Access app, brings live TV and scheduling to iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 07:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s been strangely quiet during the recent smart TV explosion even though it has arguably the most mature set of products in Windows Media Center and Mediaroom, and now we know why: Reuters says MS has been meeting with media companies in an effort to create an entirely new TV service possibly delivered through the Xbox 360. Apparently there are multiple options on the table, ranging from a full-on “virtual cable operator” with monthly fees to using the 360 as an extension of existing cableco online TV initiatives to simply delivering certain channels like ESPN and HBO a la carte, and Reuters‘ sources say the plan might take another 12 months to develop. That sounds like a bit too long, if you ask us: Apple and Google are waging a major living room assault, and we can’t imagine Microsoft is willing to miss another technology cycle — especially not one where it holds the significant advantage of the 360’s installed base and proven history as an IPTV device on multiple operators worldwide, including Uverse. We’ll see what happens — it sounds like the battle might finally be joined.

Microsoft in talks to start new TV service using the 360? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If there’s one thing that actually sorta makes sense to buy on Black Friday, it’s an HDTV—many are crazy discounted. But picking out an HDTV can be a big ball of suck. That’s where this guide comes in. More »

Hold your horses, Bubsy. While it looked like there were but a few Is to dot and Ts to cross before Comcast’s takeover of NBC Universal was official, folks in high places are now shaking their heads at a recent decision by the carrier. As the story goes, Comcast and NBC Universal are still in talks with the government over the proposed takeover, and it seems that a few wires were crossed in recent days; Comcast decided to announce a new management slate for NBC Universal just a few days ago, despite the fact that the takeover hasn’t actually been green-lit. According to an inside report over at The New York Times, one unnamed official in Washington had this to say: “For a deal this large, and one that hasn’t been approved, Comcast’s behavior is presumptuous and arrogant.” Of course, it’s not like this trigger-pulling in and of itself is reason for the whole deal to collapse, but it certainly won’t make things any easier on either company. So much for taking on those new roles (and accompanying raises) prior to Turkey Day, huh?

Regulators perturbed by Comcast’s executive reshuffling, NBC Universal takeover to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slowly but surely, the biggest US cities are catching up to the rest of the world — just imagine, by this time next year, we might even have broadcast television beamed to our tablets and cell phones. That’s because the Mobile Content Venture formed from twelve media giants in April has just promised to start upgrading TV stations to deliver Mobile DTV (aka ATSC-M/H) around the country, with the intent of reaching 20 major markets and a total of 40 percent of the US population by “late 2011.” Each of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Tampa, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando, Portland, Cincinnati, Greenville, West Palm Beach, Birmingham and Knoxville can expect to have a pair of ad-supported TV channels before long, assuming citizens are willing and able to pick up hardware with a old-school RF antenna sticking out — and that whole “streaming” thing doesn’t take off. PR after the break.

Continue reading Mobile DTV ready to roll out, upgrading 20 major metros to portable TV by 2012

Mobile DTV ready to roll out, upgrading 20 major metros to portable TV by 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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